Pinocchio

With the re-release of Pinocchio came the time to have Anna join us at the El Capitan for a big screen movie experience. It’s fun to have one on one time with the girls but it’s always nice to have the family together.
Anna was extremely excited to have her own popcorn and drink (her first movie experience, though unique, involved no snacks). She couldn’t wait to watch Pinocch-i-no with us and was so enthusiastic, she thanked us for bringing her even before the movie began. The award winning organist was playing for the audience prior to the show and the girls decided to take turns guessing the tunes as they heard them. As the prelude came to an end, the organ platform - performer and all - was lowered into the stage and Anna asked Daddy quite seriously, “Why is that man melting in the the floor?” She accepted the answer but didn’t look too sure. Once the movie began, she was riveted to her seat until the end when she applauded frantically and thanked us again, on the spot. What a treat to see this masterpiece on the big screen!

After the film, Hallie, being the seasoned veteran around the place, took her young charge by the hand and led her to the next stop. The Soda Fountain and Studio Store. We enjoyed a yummy lunch (for which we didn't have to wait terribly long) and savored the specially designed Pinocchio themed dessert - a Monstro Sundae. No drama outside on the boulevard this day - though plenty of celebrity impersonators for the asking. It was such a lovely thing for us to share as a family and we are very much looking forward to the next film release!

So Grown Up

Before heading back to school, Daddy and Hallie got the chance for one last hurrah for this year’s holiday season. One of the local Junior Girl Scout Troops was sponsoring a Father-Daughter Dance and had invited the Brownies to attend. Dad and Hallie were both very excited and very adorable. Dressed in their finest, they posed for Mom’s camera before heading to the Elks lodge for the dance (could it be 1955 or what?) It was very sweet that Dad was worried he might forget the picture package money but he patted his coat pocket a couple times for reassurance.

Hallie met up with her good friends Madison and Emily and they had a fabulous, silly, girly time. Other than being a bit pouty over not winning a door prize, Hallie was all giggles, crazy dancing and smiles. Her review of the food and music was favorable as well. (Mom got more out of her than Dad - shocker) For sure it was an evening well spent since, in addition, Mommy and Anna danced at home because she “can’t be a Brownie until next time.” And, Dad and Hallie said they’d love to do it again. So they went to a dinner-dance and all Mom ‘got was this_______ (insert t-shirt slogan of your choice) key chain’. The best key chain ever....It looks like this.

Happy New Year!

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Little Star, Big Star

The day after returning from the Happiest hotel stay on earth, we had to coordinate our schedules to get Anna to the church on time. No, not for a wedding but for the pre-school nativity. It hardly seemed like 4 years had gone by since Hallie began her stage career as a star. Now it was Anna's turn. Because of the way their birthdays fall, Anna was actually 3 months older than Hallie was and those few extra months of maturity may have shown. Hard to say though since Anna is much more of a natural participant than Hallie. Hallie had only been in the 2 year old class for two weeks prior to her first show and she basically yawned and pantomimed through the whole show. She knew the words and movements very well but was a little overwhelmed by the audience. Anna didn't smile or look like she was enjoying herself much either but she only yawned once and sang most of the words. She had practiced at home (at the the store, in the car) with Hallie so that may have helped make her more confident. Of course it was adorable and we took video and lots of pictures. Feel free to decline to view them in their entirety.


Hallie also had a holiday show to perform. It was easy to get her where she needed to be because Mom had to be there too. At our school we have two performances to accommodate the crowds. With 550 kids, one cafeteria does not provide enough space for the parent-razzi. This year, in first grade, Hallie didn't have to perform as much individually but did a great job on the risers singing with her classmates. Mom got a chance to step away from her class to watch the actual performance and snap some pictures. (Next year they'll be with the same grade level so Mom will actually be directing her!) The favorite and loudest song, of course, was Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - complete with the now traditional interjections of 'like a light bulb', 'like monopoly', etc. The songs were sung beautifully by the children.

You know, these shows are always the things about which endless jokes are made. "Having to sit sit through a bunch of ___ year olds........" but anyone who's ever sat to watch their little star/sheep/wiseman/angel/toy soldier/elf knows that for 15 or 20 minutes their isn't a better sight or sound on earth than that.

Merry Christmas!